Man fed up with pool fencing rules

A SUNSHINE Coast pool owner says he is sorry for parents who lose children through drowning, but the time had come to put an end to over-the-top pool fencing regulations.

Chris Fletcher of Hideaway Waters says new regulations to take effect from next month were ill-conceived and amounted to little more than a new tax.

He says pool owners with difficult neighbours may be forced to fill in their pools because it would become impossible for them to comply with the rules.

“I don’t mind the need for a compliant fence with proper gates at the right height,” he said.

“But depending on your neighbour’s vegetation or choice of location for their outdoor furniture and barbie, if they’re within 1.2 metres of the fenceline you won’t pass.”

Mr Fletcher said “if you don’t get on with your neighbours there is no way many pool owners would be able to get the certificate required for them to either sell or rent their property.”

He described the situation as ludicrous and said there had to be a point where matters of safety were the responsibility of parents, not government.

“While I agree pool fencing is a necessary evil whether you have young children or not. However, to say that I have to enforce these draconian laws on my adjoining neighbours’ borders on pure madness,” Mr Fletcher said.

“To get my pool compliance certificate I have to ensure any neighbouring properties where my pool is located are also compliant.

“They can’t have any furniture, dog kennels or any other objects within 1.2 metres of their fenceline. If they have any trees with low branches I have to ask them to trim them so their kids or visitors don’t try to climb over my fence and access my pool. ”

Mr Fletcher also has issue with the cost of inspections.

Reader poll

Are pool fencing regulations over the top?

This poll ended on 24 June 2011.

Current Results

Yes.

92%

No.

7%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.